Interieur van de Heilige Stede (Nieuwezijds Kapel) te Amsterdam c. 1770 - 1783

Cornelis Bogerts created this print of the interior of the Nieuwezijds Chapel in Amsterdam, sometime around the late 18th century. It gives us a glimpse into the religious life and social order of the time. Notice the towering columns, the high vaulted ceilings, and the rows of pews, all visual markers of institutional religious power in the Netherlands. But also note the relatively plain, unadorned style, reflecting the Protestant values of simplicity and restraint. The figures are arranged in ways that show a clear social hierarchy. The composition emphasizes the importance of community and collective worship in Dutch society. To understand this artwork better, we can look into the history of the Nieuwezijds Chapel, and the role of religion in 18th-century Amsterdam. We can consider the social class and political affiliations of the people who attended the chapel and learn about the role of the artist, Bogerts, within the artistic institutions of his day. All of this helps us to understand art as something that is historically contingent.